Del Monte Corporation

Yuan K Liu

Fred G Cordes

Philip A Kuhmichel

Wayman Wong

A process for storing produce for extended periods of time prior to further processing by canning or the like, which comprises the steps of immersing the produce in a substantially isotonic aqueous storage solution, wherein the solutes content of the storage solution is adjusted such that the osmotic pressures of the produce and the storage solution are substantially equal. The storage solution preferably comprises an edible sugar, an edible organic acid, and an edible oxygen scavenger. The produce is than stored in the solution at a temperature below about 40.degree. F. and subsequently canned and sterilized.

Method of preserving produce for further processing

The crowns of mature pineapples ready for harvest are treated with an aqueous medium containing sufficient amounts of a gibberellin to retard withering and senescense of the crowns. The medium is preferably applied to the crowns soon after the pineapples have been harvested. The pineapples treated in accordance with this invention retain a freshly harvested appearance for an extended period of time and make them ideally suited for sale in the fresh fruit market.

Growing community of inventors

Concord, CA, United States of America

Yuan K Liu